I thought about the interesting places within driving distance of New York, so that I could get away for a three-day weekend. Then, I decided to go somewhere that I’d never been before. The final decision was… Boston! I had also watched a travel show that featured some intriguing Beantown spots, and that provided some motivation for me as well. I jumped on a bus and was there in a few hours.
After arriving at North Station, I walked to TD Garden, which is also near the Bobby Orr statue. From there, it’s just a short walk to Paul Revere Park and the Paul Revere Statue! So within the span of about 20 minutes, I was able to see a few different landmarks right off the bat. Since the day was beautiful, and I was in a walking mood, I decided to keep going. On the way to my hotel, The Constitution Inn, I went past the USS Constitution Museum. While I didn’t go inside, I still got to see the huge warship.
After freshening up, I hopped into an Uber and headed to the Eastern Standard for dinner. This chic restaurant is known for its delicious cocktails and sexy ambiance, and is walking distance to other hot spots. After dinner, I followed a crowd and thumping music, and discovered that Pearl Jam was performing at Fenway Park! I didn’t buy a ticket, but you could clearly hear the performance from the street just outside the stadium. There are cool bars up and down Lansdowne Street, including the House of Blues and Cask ‘n Flagon.
My next stop was my favorite– the infamous Cheers bar. I took the train to the Arlington stop, which drops you off near the Boston Public Garden. There are also a bunch of fancy stores near Arlington Street, like Chanel and Tiffany & Co. The Boston Public Garden is lovely, and I briefly stopped at the Garden of Remembrance 9/11 Memorial just inside the southwest gate. Heading north, the Cheers bar is right around the corner on Beacon Street. The entrance has the “Cheers” signage, and the show’s theme song plays in the vestibule. There is a bar/restaurant as you enter, and the larger set bar is towards the rear. There are lots of “Cheers” souvenirs for purchase, and it’s fun to take a turn in Norm or Cliff’s seat.
The next day, I bought a ticket to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. The staff wears period costumes and provides a lively and interactive history lesson on the Boston Tea Party. Then, you board a ship filled with historically accurate items and toss mock tea chests overboard. There’s also a multi-sensory film, and artifacts on display. The whole experience is pretty long, so I would suggest eating beforehand. I skipped the gift shop but got a delicious fresh-baked cookie at the on-site café.
Another unique thing about Boston is all of the elite colleges in the area. I visited MIT and Harvard University, and realized that it had been years since I had been on a college campus. Harvard Yard was bustling, and it was energizing to be surrounded so many young people. For lunch, I headed to Grafton Street Pub & Grill. The food, drinks, and service were excellent, and I didn’t have to stray far from campus or the train station.
The tourist spots that I hit on my Boston vacation were a combination of nostalgia, education, public parks, and nightlife. But what are some spots that I should definitely visit the next time I’m in Boston? Let me know!
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